Oxyrhynchus Papyrus 1786

Bibliographical Recommendation Tripp, David H., and Peter Wheeler. “The Oldest Christian Hymn with Music: Its Use as a Seminary Project in Liturgical Studies.” The Hymn 48/2 (April 1997) [An earlier form of this article was published in German in Jahrbuch für Liturgie unde Hymnologie 32 (1989) ].

Artifact

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Date Reverse = scratch papyrus of corn accounts (200 – 250 CE) Hymn = 275 – 325 CE

Music Two distinct hands: Words in uncial Greek Music in cursive Greek G mode (natural F) N.B. Rising pitch when Holy Spirit is mentioned N.B. Could “Amens” be congregational? N.B. Solo / Choir / Assembly

Authorship Anonymous Text: generally anapestic; c. 16 syllables per line = not sophisticated Music: –Originally a pagan tune to which the text-writer added the lyric? –Poet wrote the words then asked a musical friend to add melody? –Stenographer wrote down hymn text, then asked musician to add notes from sung example

Context/Use Personal devotions by an individual (however N.B. “we sing”) Eucharist (but what element?) Agape (as distinct rite in 4 th C CE?) Liturgy of the Hours (like Psalm 148 / Canticle of the Three Young Men?) Home / informal circle of friends (N.B. “giver of all that is good”)

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